Climbing Rose Plant Named &#39;MEIBRITTY&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of rose plant, referred to by its cultivar name, ‘MEIBRITTY’, is disclosed. The new variety forms attractive, very double cream-ochre colored center and pink colored towards the external petals colored flowers. Attractive glossy foliage is formed, which contrasts beautifully with the blossoms. A climbing growth habit is displayed. The new variety is well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in the landscape.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Plant Breeders' Right ApplicationNumber 2022/1337, which was filed at Community Plant Variety Office inthe European Union on May 30, 2022, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes.

Latin name of genus and species of plant claimed: Rosa hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘MEIBRITTY’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR

The first offer for sale of the new variety was Jul. 28, 2022, inFrance. The first offer for sale of the new variety was by the inventoror another who obtained the new variety directly or indirectly from theinventor. No plants of the new variety have been sold in this country oranywhere in the world, nor has any disclosure of the new plant beenmade, more than one year prior the effective filing date of thisapplication, and such sale or disclosure within one year was eitherderived directly or indirectly from the inventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of climbing rose plant of the present invention wascreated by controlled breeding at Le Cannet des Maures, Var, France byartificial pollination wherein two parents were crossed which previouslyhad been studied in the hope that they would contribute the desiredcharacteristics. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) of the newvariety was the ‘KORHOKHEL’ variety (not patented). The male parent(i.e., the pollen parent) of the new variety was the ‘AUSCOT’ variety(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 07,215).

The parentage of the new variety can be summarized as follows:

‘KORHOKHEL’ X ‘AUSCOT’

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and smallplants were obtained which were physically and biologically differentfrom each other. Selective study resulted in the identification of asingle plant of the new variety.

The new variety has been found to undergo asexual propagation in LeCannet des Maures, Var, France by a number of routes, including eyebudding, softwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings, and semi-hardwoodcuttings. Asexual propagation by the above-mentioned techniques in LeCannet des Maures, Var, France has shown that the characteristics of thenew variety are stable and are strictly transmissible by asexualpropagation from one generation to another. Accordingly, the new varietyundergoes asexual propagation in a true-to-type manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It was found that the new variety of rose plant of the present inventionpossesses the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   (a) forms flowers with a cream-ochre colored center and pink        colored towards the external petals,    -   (b) produces very double flowers, and    -   (c) exhibits a climbing growth habit.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry. Itcan be grown to advantage as ornamentation in parks, gardens, publicareas, and in residential settings. Accordingly, the plant isparticularly well suited for growing in the landscape.

The new variety of the present invention can readily be distinguishedfrom its ancestors. More specifically, the ‘KORHOKHEL’ variety (i.e.,the seed parent) produces less petals compared to the new variety. Inaddition, the ‘AUSCOT’ variety (i.e., the pollen parent) displays ashrub growth habit, whereas the new variety displays a climbing growthhabit. Moreover, the new variety can be readily distinguished from othersimilar non-parental varieties. For example, the ‘MEIVIOLIN’ variety(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 06,892) produces flowers that are medium pink incolor, whereas the new variety produces flowers that are cream-ochrecolored in the center and pink colored towards the external petals.

The new variety has been named ‘MEIBRITTY’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph of the drawing shows as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make the same, in a color illustration of thischaracter, typical specimens of the plant parts of the new variety. Therose plants of the new variety were approximately two years of age andwere observed during September while budded on Rosa Laxa and growingoutdoors at Le Cannet des Maures, Var, France. Dimensions in centimetersare indicated at the bottom of the drawing.

-   -   Element 1—illustrates a specimen of a young shoot.    -   Element 2—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud before the        opening of the sepals.    -   Element 3—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening        of the sepals.    -   Element 4—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening        of the petals.    -   Element 5—illustrates a specimen of a flower in the course of        opening.    -   Element 6—illustrates a specimen of an open flower—plan        view—obverse.    -   Element 7—illustrates a specimen of an open flower—plan        view—reverse.    -   Element 8—illustrates a specimen of a fully open flower—plan        view—obverse.    -   Element 9—illustrates a specimen of a fully open flower—plan        view—reverse.    -   Element 10—illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showing        arrangement of the stamens and pistils.    -   Element 11—illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showing        arrangement of the pistils (stamens removed).    -   Element 12—illustrates a specimen of a flowering stem.    -   Element 13—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 3 leaflets—plan        view—upper surface.    -   Element 14—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 3 leaflets—plan        view—under surface.    -   Element 15—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 5 leaflets—plan        view—upper surface.    -   Element 16—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 5 leaflets—plan        view—under surface.    -   Element 17—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 7 leaflets—plan        view—upper surface.    -   Element 18—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 7 leaflets—plan        view—under surface.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of the colors is that of The RoyalHorticultural Society (The R.H.S. Colour Chart, 2001 edition), London,England. The terminology which precedes reference to the chart has beenadded to indicate the corresponding color in more common terms. Thedescription is based on the observation of two-years-old specimens ofthe new variety during September while budded on Rosa Laxa and growingoutdoors at Le Cannet des Maures, Var, France.

-   Botantical classification: Rosa hybrida cultivar MEIBRITTY.-   Commercial classification: Climbing Rose Plant.-   Plant:    -   -   Habit.—Climbing.        -   Height.—Typically between 150 cm to 200 cm.        -   Width.—Typically between 150 cm to 200 cm.-   Branches:    -   -   Color.—Young stems: commonly near a color between            Yellow-Green Group 144A and 144B, more or less covered with            near Greyed-Purple Group 184B. — adult wood: commonly near a            color between Yellow-Green Group 144A and 144B; anthocyanin            coloration is absent.        -   Length.—From the crown to the flower is typically between            100 cm to 110 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.5 cm on average.        -   Thorns.—Configuration on adult stems: upright and very            elongated to slight concave on the upper surface; and            concave on the under surface. — long prickles— quantity:            commonly between 20 to 25 thorns per 10 cm long young stem            and commonly between 20 to 25 thorns per 10 cm long adult            stem. — long prickles— length: typically between 0.5 cm to            0.8 cm on young stems and approximately 0.5 cm on adult            stems. — long prickles— base shape: elliptical. — long            prickles— color on young stems: commonly near a color            between Yellow-Green Group 144C and Yellow-Green Group 146D,            more or less suffused with near Greyed-Purple Group 184C            going toward the base. — long prickles— color on adult            stems: commonly near Greyed-Orange Group 166A suffused with            near Greyed-Orange Group 166B toward the apex. — small            prickles— quantity: absent.        -   Internode.—Numbers on the entire branch: typically between            30 to 40. — length: typically between 2.0 cm and 3.0 cm.-   Foliage:    -   -   General appearance.—Very dense, with a glossy aspect.        -   Number of leaflets.—3, 5, 7; most often 7.        -   7 Leaflets leaf.—Length: typically between 10 cm to 12 cm. —            width: approximately 7.0 cm on average.        -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: typically between 4.0 cm to            5.0 cm. — width: approximately 3.0 cm on average.        -   New foliage.—Upper surface color commonly near a color            between Green Group 141A with Yellow-Green Group 146A. —            under surface color: commonly near Green Group 143B broadly            covered with near Greyed-Purple Group 184B.        -   Adult foliage.—Upper surface color: commonly near a color            between Green Group 137A and Green Group 139A. — under            surface color: commonly near Green Group 137C. — anthocyanin            coloration: absent.-   Leaflets:    -   -   Shape.—Top: acuminate. — base: obtuse.        -   Glossiness of upper surface.—Medium.        -   Texture.—Upper surface is smooth, under surface is bumpy.        -   General appearance.—Oval.        -   Serration.—Small and single.        -   Undulation on the margin.—Weak.        -   Venation.—Color is commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144B and            pattern is imparipinnate.        -   Petiole rachis.—Color of upper surface: commonly near Green            Group 143A. — color of under surface: commonly near            Yellow-Green Group 144A. — texture: upper surface is            glandular, under surface is slightly glandular with little            prickles. — rachis of terminal leaflet: length is typically            between 4.5 cm to 6.0 cm and diameter is approximately 0.1            cm on average.        -   Petioles.—Upper surface: few glandular. — under surface: few            prickles. — color of upper surface: commonly near            Yellow-Green Group 144B. — color of under surface: commonly            near Yellow-Green Group 144A more or less shaded with near            Greyed-Purple Group 184B. — length: approximately 2.0 cm on            average. — diameter: approximately 0.1 cm on average.        -   Stipules.—Length: approximately 1.2 cm on average. — width:            approximately 0.5 cm on average. — general appearance:            rather broad but very curling. — texture: smooth. — color of            upper surface: commonly near Green Group 141A on the edges,            evolving to Yellow-Green Group 144B toward the petiole. —            color of under surface: commonly near Green Group 143A.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Number of flowers per stem.—Between 3 and 5 flowers per            stem.        -   Lastingness of the bloom.—On the plant: approximately 10            days on average. — in vase: not tested.        -   Bud.—Shape: globular. — size: medium. — length:            approximately 2.0 cm on average. — width: approximately 2.5            cm on average. — color as calyx breaks: upper surface: on            the external petals commonly near Red-Purple Group 65A            slightly suffused with near Red-Purple Group 68A on the            edges; on the internal petals commonly near a color between            Red-Purple Group 65B and Red Group 49A. basal spot upper            surface: very little and near Yellow Group 3C on the            external petals and near Yellow Group 5C on the internal            petals. under surface: on the external petals commonly near            Red-Purple Group 65A strongly covered with near Red-Purple            Group 68A; on the internal petals commonly near Red-Purple            Group 65A strongly covered with a color between Red-Purple            Group 68A and Red Group 51B. basal spot under surface: very            little and near Yellow Group 5C on the external petals and            near Yellow Group 5B on the internal petals.        -   Sepals.—Number: commonly 5. — length: approximately 1.5 cm            on average. — width: approximately 0.7 cm on average on the            median part. — shape: at the top: few elongated and rather            broad. at the base: flat at union with the receptacle. —            extensions: commonly 2 sepals without extensions and 3            sepals with very weak extensions. — upper surface: texture:            tomentous. color: commonly near Green Group 143A covered            with many hairs that are commonly near Green-White Group            157C. — under surface: texture: smooth (slightly glandular            on edges). color: commonly near Green Group 143A.        -   Receptacle.—Color: commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144B. —            length: approximately 0.5 cm on average. — width:            approximately 1.0 cm on average. — surface: smooth. — shape:            abroad funnel shaped.        -   Peduncle.—length: Approximately 5.0 cm on average. — width:            typically between 0.2 cm to 0.3 cm. — surface: smooth. —            color: commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144A more or less            suffused with near Greyed-Red Group 178A.        -   Flower.—Diameter when open: approximately 7.5 cm. — shape:            flat cup shaped. — shape when viewed from above: rounded. —            shape of the upper part of the flower profile: flat. — shape            of the lower part of the flower profile: concave. — type:            very double. — number of petals under normal conditions:            commonly between 120 to 140 petals (including the smaller            ones in the center of the flower but which are not            petaloids). — petals: shape at the base: external petals are            obtuse and internal petals are acute. shape at the top:            external petals are rounded and internal petals are obtuse.            general shape: external petals are rounded and internal            petals are obovate narrow. texture: dry. length: external            petals are approximately 3.5 cm on average; internal petals            are approximately 3.3 cm on average. width: external petals            are approximately 2.6 cm on average; internal petals are            approximately 1.5 cm on average. — undulation of the petal:            very weak. — reflexing of the petal: absent. — petal            incision: absent. — petal arrangement: imbricated with half            curved petaloids (crescent moon shape). — petal drop: petals            drop off cleanly before drying. — fragrance: none. —            discoloration of the flower: none. — color when opening:            basal spot on the upper surface: commonly near Yellow Group            3C. upper surface: external petals are commonly near            Red-Purple Group 65C covered with near Red-Purple Group 67C            on around 2 mm along the edge of the petal; internal petals            are commonly near Red Group 49C very lightly suffused with            near Red Group 49B along the edges of the petal. basal spot            on the under surface: commonly near Yellow Group 3C. under            surface: external petals are commonly near Red-Purple Group            65C strongly covered with near Red-Purple Group 67C;            internal petals are commonly near Red Group 49C very            strongly covered with near a color between Red-Purple Group            65A and Red Group 49A. — color of the open flower: basal            spot on the upper surface: commonly near Yellow Group 3C.            upper surface of the flower: external petals are commonly            near Red-Purple Group 65C covered with near Red-Purple Group            68A on around 2 mm along the edge of the petal; internal            petals are commonly near Red Group 49C with a very slight            shade of near Red-Purple Group 65D along the edges of the            petal. basal spot on the under surface: commonly near Yellow            Group 3D. under surface of the flower: external petals are            commonly near Red-Purple Group 65C strongly covered with            near a color between Red-Purple Group 68A and Red-Purple            Group 67C; internal petals are commonly near Red Group 49D            slightly covered with a shade of near Red-Purple Group 65D.            — anthers: number is typically 30 to 40, length is            approximately 0.2 cm on average, width is approximately 0.1            cm on average, coloration is commonly near Yellow-Orange            Group 14B, and arrangement is regular around styles. —            filaments: length is typically between 0.1 cm and 0.5 cm and            coloration is commonly near Yellow Group 5C. — styles:            length is typically between 0.3 cm to 1.0 cm, coloration is            commonly Yellow-Green Group 147D with a touch of Red Group            37A at the junction point with the stigma, and number is            typically between 70 to 80. — stigmas: length is commonly            less than 0.1 cm and coloration is commonly near Yellow            Group 7C. — pollen: color is commonly near Yellow-Orange            Group 21B; amount is abundant. — hips: width is            approximately 1.7 cm on average, length is 1.4 cm on            average, color is commonly near a color between Orange-Red            Group 32A and Greyed-Orange Group 169A, and shape is pitcher            shape.-   Development:    -   -   Vegetation.—Very strong.        -   Blooming.—Very early in the season, normal to recurrent            typically from May to October in France.        -   USDA hardiness zone.—Zone 5.        -   Tolerance to disease.—Good, and particularly against rust            (Phragmidium sp).

The new ‘MEIBRITTY’ variety has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that thephenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in light intensityand duration, cultural practices, and other environmental conditions.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant named ‘MEIBRITTY’characterized by the following combination of characteristics: (a) formsflowers with a cream-ochre colored center and pink colored towards theexternal petals, (b) produces very double flowers, and (c) exhibits aclimbing growth habit; substantially as herein shown and described.